Skip to content

Home
About
Accommodations
- Craft room
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Living
Reservations
Bunk House
Contact
Photo Gallery
Posts & Reviews

A beautiful day @ Bluff Country Retreat

October 28, 2019 derrick

Posted by derrick on October 28, 2019October 28, 2019

I went for a walk on the trails and took some pics.
www.bluffcountryretreat.com

Search for:

Reviews from our guests:

5.0

186 reviews

5

179

4

7

3

0

2

0

1

0

Star T

This place is AMAZING! I recently spent a weekend at Bluff Country and was not disappointed. The lodging is comfortable, spacious, inviting, and extremely clean (and I'm a clean-freak so that's saying something). The kitchen is well equipped. There's even a nut roaster, which I realized after I toasted some on the range. I spent time on the walking trails which were very peaceful, private, and scenic....plus I saw 19 deer! The hosts are very accommodating and responsive to any questions. Bluff Country is the place to stay if you're planning a stay in the area. I'll definitely stay there again! - 3/01/2018

Christina

We enjoyed staying at the Bunkhouse! It is hands down the cleanest Airbnb we have stayed at. It felt just like home and was well stocked. It was close to Whalan and Lanesboro to bike the trail, eat pie and enjoy a fantastic play at the Commonweal. We would definitely stay here again! - 7/07/2025

Deborah Ely

This is a super awesome place to go for a weekend scrapbooking retreat! Love it. - 2/06/2022

Laura

Derrick had superb communication and was overall a great host. We took advantage of the bike path's in Lanesboro and Derrick's place had everything we needed after a long day on the trails. Thanks for the accommodating stay! - 7/14/2024

Rachelle M.

Beautiful & peaceful Quiet and beautiful location in the bluffs. Extremely clean, comfortable bunk house. We'll stay again! - 8/13/2021

Paul

na - 9/13/2021

Donna C.

We loved this house and grounds. It was spacious and well equipped. We had a great time and hope to be back! - 7/08/2025

Debbe C.

This is an excellent rental property. We highly recommend it. Everything exceeded our expectations. We have zero complaints or suggestions. - 7/21/2022

Dana B.

The property is beautiful with great hiking trails. My friends and I stayed at this place to have a girls trip to lanesboro. The property is a perfect retreat. The owners were friendly and the cabin was clean and had the perfect amount of space. We will definitely revisit! - 6/14/2021

Michelle Karjala Torrey

positive review

Bluff Country Retreat was a fabulous experience. Absolutely stunning views and an amazing work space. The owners have thought of everything. A full kitchen with almost everything you might need to cook a meal. Amazing accommodations including walk in showers and a jacuzzi tub. - 9/16/2018

Marika

Derrick was easy to communicate with and had a clean place on beautiful property. We had a few hiccups (WiFi, fireplace, construction workers) but Derrick was responsive and courteous. Overall, a nice getaway. - 10/23/2021

Stephanie Jaeger Paulson

positive review

Great craft room, beautiful scenery, fully stocked kitchen, nice bathrooms. love a good crafting weekend with my girlfriends! - 3/10/2020

Fred O'Connor

My first retreat and it was fantastic! This place is so cozy and relaxing. - 2/11/2019

Tammie

We had 10 senior ladies on our annual kayak trip to explore the Root River. The accommodations were excellent! Plenty of space and bathrooms for all of us. Comfort and ease in all the details. Highly recommend! - 8/19/2025

Jen

Pictures do not do this place justice, easy checkin, quick response, beautiful surroundings, and SUPER clean! - 3/28/2021

Mary

Feels like the top of the world! Views from the property are stunning. High quality furnishings and very clean! Peaceful and comfy, just what we needed after a long day on the bicycle! - 10/09/2022

Alex

Had an Excellent weekend at the Bluff Country Retreat. The Bunkhouse was perfect for two people, and was exceptionally clean. The property is also fantastic to stroll around. Would visit again. - 10/25/2020

Mike

Excellent host and great property. Highly recommend. - 4/06/2021

Suzanne

An excellent getaway with a cute bunk house and friendly owner. The cabin is very clean with everything you need. Over 4 miles of walking trails with awesome views. - 6/14/2020

Jenny Overby

This place is well stocked! Kitchen has high end items, well organized, small scrap store even!!! Highly recommend it! Booked for November and April! - 11/12/2017

Heidi Hanson

- 4/11/2021

Kim W.

Attention to Detail We had a wonderful stay at Bluff Country Retreat Bunk House. The attention to detail was amazing all the way down to the light switches being labeled, which I appreciated. The walking paths throughout the property we nicely mowed for evening walks. This place is truly a paradise! - 7/25/2022

Jeffrey T.

Great place, very remote The facilities were clean and modern, very nice. I was under the impression this was close to the bike trails. This is not the case. If you want a retreat from everything this is perfect. If you want cycling, you will need to commute to the trail. - 9/15/2020

Roxanne B.

The home was well equipped and was close to the bike trails. We had fun on the trails and in the towns near the home. - 7/13/2025

Steven L.

We were only able to stay for 2 nights, but it was perfect. It's a very nice quaint & quiet place in the country. The home is like new and very well maintained. We liked the fact that it was a quick drive to the Root River trail in Whalan. We really enjoyed the trails around the property. Our only issue was the charcoal grill (because I've never been able to master grilling with charcoal). It would have been perfect if there had been a gas grill, but that's our personal preference. We hope to come back next year and stay 3 nights next time. - 9/26/2023

Twila F.

All in one cute room Everything was great and nothing about the inside of this “little” cabin grossed me out! Clean sheets, everything was easy to find, we watched many Laura Ingalls shows as we took our own movies along. The only thing maybe a new mattress would be a good ide?! I woke up with back ache both nights and thought it’s just because I’m 22 weeks pregnant and that’s just part of growing a human. But hubby said something on Sunday about a sore lower back that he thinks might have been the mattress. Just something to keep in mind if anyone else says something! Thanks for going “the extra mile” with a fully stocked kitchen, games, movies, extra towels and washcloths, privacy/good blinds and the many light options thruout the house. Loved the lights about the kitchen cupboards for an extra touch at night when I woke up to, you know, use the restroom again🙈🙂 - 12/07/2021

Jody Mack Key

Wonderful place! Have been there fours times now, and never disappoints. - 12/12/2021

Sa

This was perfect for our family of three! Very clean, kitchen had all the necessities, and it was actually bigger than we expected. We took several hikes and saw deer and other wildlife on the property. A short (less than 10 minutes) drive to the bike trail entrance in Whalen. We will definitely be back! - 6/02/2021

Peter Martin

What an absolute perfect find! We hosted a number of married couples at the Shack during the day and everyone was very impressed by everything. It is perfectly located and the trails were well-groomed allowing for many people to enjoy the scenery. Amazing! - 10/08/2018

Briget Fields

- 10/09/2017

stanmary henderson

23 of us: 4 children and spouses, 12 grandchildren and one grandchild is engaged, that makes 24 of us that really enjoyed our stay at Bluff Country Retreat. Activities included touring the town of Lanesboro, talk around the fire ring, golfing, tubing down the river, Kiaking down the river, playing some yard games, playing cards, eating and walking the trails.Stan Henderson - 4/15/2019

Maribeth L.

Excellent accommodations for a family getaway! Family vacation with 7 children five years and younger! Very spacious for the kids inside and outside! Adults also had plenty of room. The home was generously furnished from the kitchen, to the bathrooms, to the patio and everything in between! Owners great to work with! Highly recommend! - 8/08/2021

David

Beautiful spot in the bluffs. About 6 miles from Lanesboro. - 4/24/2021

Linda W.

Spectacular! The owners went to great trouble to be sure guests have everything needed for a comfortable get away. Beautiful location, beautiful little nest. We couldn’t have been more pleased. The owners are great communicators and followed through with a special request we asked for. You won’t be disappointed. We will book again. 😊 - 7/02/2022

Edward T.

We stayed for a long weekend that ended up being both snowy and cold outside, but it was nice and cozy inside. Derrick, the owner, went the extra mile in communicating since we were going to be having some weather, but it was fun to be able to hunker down here. The property is great if you are looking to get out for cross county skiing or maybe winter hiking, and we saw all sorts of animal tracks and deer several times. We’ll have to come back in the summertime. - 1/21/2024

Dyanne P.

Perfect for me for a fishing getaway. Had everything I needed. - 4/26/2024

Melinda Ritola Knuttila

- 5/09/2018

Zach J.

Beautiful little spot on top of the SE MN bluffs. The cabin was very clean and cozy. The only thing it was missing was an oven. Close to lots of local attractions and a variety of opportunities for outdoor fun. The host was great, easy to communicate with and very accommodating. Would certainly stay again! - 4/26/2024

Stephan S.

Beautiful place! Had a great stay here with extended family! Thanks for the hospitality! - 1/05/2020

Randy & Bonnie G.

Exceptional place to stay. Quiet and peaceful.
Further away from the Root River bike trails than we anticipated. - 10/03/2024

Kate Hoover

positive review

Definitely enjoyed my weekend! By far the nicest retreat I’ve stayed at. Beautiful house that is very well maintained, beautiful location and the workroom and workstations are large and comfortable. I will definitely return for another weekend of crafting! - 10/07/2018

Sara L.

Loved the cleanliness of the property & the seclusion from the rest of the world. The 2-3 mile gravel road was a bit of a surprise to us, but no biggie. Visited the area for a few days of biking & the weather wasn't the greatest. Very grateful for a lovely cabin to take shelter in! Great getaway to relax & recharge!! - 7/06/2024

Tasa Deden

This place has EVERYTHING you could possibly need AND more. It seriously deserves more than 5 stars. To say this is "God's Country" is an understatement. Owners are FANTASTIC! We have stayed twice and foresee many more stays! - 2/25/2019

Kristina Lynne

positive review

Awesome place for scrapping - 3/30/2019

Andy S.

The house was even better than described! Tucked away in the country, it felt like you were in your own little world. Nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley, we enjoyed waking up to the fog lifting off the tops of the trees exposing the beautiful greenery for miles around. Everything in the home was VERY clean (for all those that are OCD about cleaning like myself…this is your place!), tidy and beautiful. It's a large house for entertaining several people or just 2 like my husband & I. We’ve stayed at other homes listed on VRBO and they’ve all been lovely but this is definitely hands down my favorite! Every detail was thought of when the house was built. The kitchen is built for entertainment and includes all the items you’d need for cooking...nice items not left-overs or items that should be discarded. All that you need to make your own meals and more is in this house! You can tell it is loved and well cared for. We spent our days riding bikes on the Root River Trail and the nights cooking, sitting by the fire pit and walking around the property. The fire pit was a great end to a fantastic day as we sat by it each night with a great view of the stars and not a sound around us. It truly is an amazing home. Derek and Chris were fantastic and very responsive. Everything that we needed was provided for which made for a truly wonderful stay. On the 2nd day of our stay, we booked a return trip. Thanks Again for sharing your awesome retreat! - 7/12/2018

Kristie Brunsvold Curtis

Was an absolute gorgeous place for our Christmas! Very spacious yet so cozy and warm! Beautifully decorated for the holidays!! Felt like home! - 12/24/2017

Terry & Amy R.

Great property with an abundance of amenities! Plenty of kitchen accessories to utilize for cooking your own meals. The yard games provided are nice so you don’t have to hail your own along. We also enjoyed visiting a few Amish locations, riding the bike trails, and Niagara Cave. The Pastry Shoppe in Lanesboro was delish! Several golf courses in the area as well. Great hosts, easy check in process, clear stay and departure instructions. - 8/11/2025

Roberta

Derrick’s place is amazing, beautiful and scenic. Hospitality the best. He gave us all kinds of information and ideas of things to do locally. Would recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful place to relax. - 7/07/2019

Laura C.

Peaceful It was the best! So fully stocked . Fully equipped kitchen . It was so peaceful and beautiful for our family to be together !! Very kind owners too! And homemade honey down the road ! We loved it all! - 7/05/2023

Nicci Songas

Chris is an amazing host! She went well above and beyond a typical host. It’s a bit tough to get to with fresh, not yet plowed snow and we got stuck. Chris came to get us in her truck, helped get us unstuck, and then found a place for us to keep the car until the plow came through. Then she and her dad went to get the vehicle once plowed so we didn’t need to go out in the bitter cold! The place is amazingly beautiful and comfortable. Great place for getting projects done! - 2/12/2019

Julie Broadwtaer

Bluff Country Retreat is a beautiful home located on the bluff above the Root River in southeast Minnesota. The amenities are numerous and the description and pictures on the website do not do this retreat justice. Ample craft space on the main floor, large soaking tub, walking trails, fireplaces, TVs...it's just amazing! This is my fourth stay and I'm looking forward to the two weekends booked for 2019! This is the perfect get away! - 10/28/2018

Jane

This house was a perfect place for our group of eight bicyclists to enjoy our annual trip. Incredibly clean and well organized. We loved the very well equipped kitchen and the comfortable places to hang out. We enjoyed drinks by the firepit with a beautiful view of the lush farmlands. Beds were very comfortable and the area is so quiet. Loved having four bathrooms, as cyclists need to shower!! Derrick, you thought of so many amenities. Thanks for a perfect getaway. - 8/06/2018

Sylvia

Beautiful place to stay! Was very satisfied! - 6/22/2024

Nicole

This place is fantastic - clean, tastefully decorated, well appointed. Great walking trails. We had an amazing weekend, thanks Derrick! - 8/30/2020

Peggy Merkel

positive review

Had a great long weekend at Bluff Country Retreat. Beautiful scenery and a great place to relax and craft with friends. See you again next fall! - 10/30/2018

Kelly K.

The bunkhouse was perfect! The bunkhouse exceeded my expectations! It was perfect for our girls bicycling weekend. The hosts thought of everything to make our stay perfect. The location was beautiful and the bunkhouse was perfect! I’ll definitely be back!!! - 8/16/2023

Lisa

Great stay in the clean and cozy Bunkhouse. Stunning setting atop a bluff, quiet and away from it all yet conveniently located near Lanesboro where we enjoyed cycling on the Root River Trail. Outstanding communication from Derrick from start to finish. Recommend without hesitation. - 10/14/2021

Bao

Held a sisterhood union with my cousins here and the place is amazingly peaceful and clean. Derrick is a wonderful host and provided great suggestions for what is in the surrounding area but we had so much fun just staying at the house and hanging outside with the beautiful view. We will definitely come back again. - 8/10/2019

Todd Lori Henderson

positive review

Bluff Country Retreat worked great for our family get together. The views were beautiful, there was more then enough room for people to spread out and spend time together and relax. The place is very well stocked and when we had an issue with the pump on the well not working and we ran out of water, they went above and beyond to get it fixed, even in the middle of the night! Thanks for providing a great place for a large group gathering. - 8/06/2018

Adam G.

Trout Heaven We had an awesome stay. The trout were practically jumping out of the water and we couldn’t have handled that if we didn’t have a great place to stay - 1/30/2022

Jacquelyn H.

The Bunk House Hubby and I decided on a weekend away to southern MN. The Bunk House served its purpose. A very nice cabin/home. - 7/04/2023

Carolyn T.

Great weekend get away. Well stocked and maintained cabin on a beautifull bluff overlooking the Root River. Nicer than we expected...listing does not do justice. Close to Lanesboro and multiple trouts streams. We saw tons of wildlife and the views from the groomed waking trails were beautiful. Would recommend 👌 - 6/17/2024

SUSAN D.

Wonderful Very nice and spacious home in a beautiful country setting. Perfect for a family gathering. - 6/23/2021

Pauline O.

Trail was beautiful on the property. We would definitely stay again. One of the bests stays we have had in a long time. It was just awesome. The fireplace was really nice!! The shower was extra nice and clean (good water pressure with hot water). It was a wonderful way to celebrate our Anniversary and Birthday. So much nicer than the pictures advertised. Thank you! - 10/20/2023

Kenton P.

Gorgeous cabin with an even prettier view of the river valley. The owners were great throughout, the house was perfect for our group, and the views off the back porch/fire pit were as good as it gets in MN for a property that's not directly on a lake/river. Would definitely recommend this property to my friends and family! - 8/15/2021

Annette Evenson

Stayed here with a group of gals for two nights in November.
What an amazing place to kick back, relax, work on crafts, watch some fun chick flicks and have quality bonding time!
Over the top with charm and everything one needs for a getaway!!!
We will most definitely be back soon!
Thanks to the owners for creating a peaceful retreat in this beautiful countryside � - 11/12/2017

Chichong L.

Great getaway home This property is very well maintained and organized. The check-in process was easy and everything met our expectations upon arrival. The property felt very welcoming to us with everything we needed to enjoy our stay. It's a huge property with plenty of things to do in and out of the house around the property; plenty of games for the family and a long trail to enjoy nature with a beautiful view of the valley. We got to see the thick fog passing though the valley which was amazing. It was a great home to get away from the city and just enjoy quiet family time. Thanks. - 9/05/2020

Tammy Iverson Schoppers

Excellent retreat home for a relaxing get away! Highly recommend!! - 11/13/2017

Suzi

If you want extra clean, beautiful, very comfortable, and totally delightful...consider this place! If you want it close to small towns with charm, character, beautiful bluffs, great food, art AND fun family outdoors, consider this place. This beautiful log home is just a few miles travel but when you're there, you feel like you are on top of the world! This was a GREAT place. We will be back! - 9/07/2020

Douglas C.

Country charmer. Enjoyed our stay in this "shack" combining cabin-like country charm with modern conveniences. - 10/16/2020

Kenton P.

Gorgeous cabin with an even prettier view of the river valley. - 8/15/2021

David

Great quiet place to get away and work remotely. Snug little cabin with beautiful views. - 1/28/2024

Beth

We like to bike on the Root River Bike Trail and it was our first time at an Airbnb. Such a wonderful cabin with everything you would need. Very peaceful and cabin fully equipped. We will definitely be back !! - 7/09/2020

Adam and Mariah J.

Quiet Escape! Great place for our family of three to stay! Comfortable and very clean. We found the kitchen to have everything we needed and some nice additional items. Convenient to area sites, as well as restaurants for take out. Appreciated the ability to take hikes/walks right on the property! Very nicely maintained trails. Would definitely stay again! - 11/02/2020

Xiong

If you are looking for a place to stay that is both beautiful and convenient with a large group of people, Bluff Country Retreat is the place to stay. It is a place that is beyond one's imagination. The home is located on a beautiful and peaceful location that offers a great view of the surrounding hills.

Derrick was super responsive to questions and requests. Check-in and check-out was super easy. Instruction was simple and clear.

In all honesty, we had a truly wonderful time during our stay. Derrick made our family-getaway a wonderful experience this summer. Bluff Country Retreat is a place where you will want to return year after year. - 7/16/2023

Baylea

Derricks place was beautiful, clean, quiet. The shack has everything you need for a perfect get away. We wish we could’ve spent more time there but will definitely be back. Hospitality was amazing! We were more then satisfied with our stay! - 7/13/2020

Thomas

My wife and I had a wonderful stay in the shack at the Bluff Country Retreat. It must be a new structure because it was so immaculately clean that it had to be new. Communications from the host were friendly and helpful. I gave five star ratings across the board. If we travel back to the area we will certainly look to book at the Bluff Country Retreat again. - 8/05/2021

Iain W.

Pristine bunkhouse Very clean well appointed bunkhouse. Drive time to Lanesboro is not an issue. - 9/30/2020

Neil S.

Excellent in all regards. This is a beautiful well-equipped property and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Derrick and Chris answered all of our questions and provided lots of information about the area in general. They were excellent with whom to work and made us feel welcome from the onset. While there were only six in our group, the home could certainly accommodate larger groups. I recommend them and their property highly! - 6/11/2021

Janet C.

Beautiful, clean properties with all the amenities we needed! Will definitely be coming back to this place another time! - 8/07/2022

Tasa Scanlan Deden

positive review

This place exceeded any and all expectations! Absolutely God's Country and the house has EVERYTHING you could possibly imagine! Highly recommend this house! ❤ - 10/22/2018

Melinda Selchow

- 12/15/2020

Brent V.

Summer Fun Great spot. Will stay again if available. - 7/25/2023

Dannette C.

This place is so beautiful and quiet and has mowed trails available to hike conveniently on the property. It’s about 5 min drive from the Whalen root river trail crossing: very convenient.. the host was very nice and provided prompt answers to my many questions. The patio out front is awesome for breakfast and just resting and there is a fire pit with wood available in the back. Very nice, very clean -And the washer and dryer were a bonus!!!! - 6/21/2025

Patrick B.

great host, great property excellent property, quiet location.very well equiped.owner is excellent communicator .highly recommend - 8/20/2023

Melanie D.

Excellent Getaway Retreat I regularly stay at VRBO’s throughout the US. The Shack was exceptionally clean, well maintained, provided excellent amenities as well as a beautiful private property for a retreat and getaway. I will certainly reserve again. - 8/24/2020

Beautiful house and gorgeous setting. This house is beautiful! It is immaculate and is so well stocked with absolutely everything you might need. The outdoor areas are great for hiking, grilling, and campfires. It’s also close to biking trails, tubing, and shopping. We had a great time! - 7/29/2019

Brian C.

Wonderfully relaxing Fantastic, quiet, clean, and central location to so much! We loved our stay!! - 10/12/2021

Tonia Scanlan Boysen Fix

positive review

beautiful home, the owners have thought of EVERYTHING! - 10/19/2019

Jessica

Beautiful spot over looking the valley. Clean, provided everything we needed, and quite. Perfect spot for a nice peaceful get away! - 6/08/2025

Samuel

Great place. The trails were really awesome and it was a thoughtfully constructed stay. - 9/06/2020

Ronalee H.

Secluded and cozy retreat near Lanesboro I was searching for a COVID friendly option for a short vacation near Lanesboro and found this cute bunkhouse which seemed to fit the bill. Boy did it ever! Impeccably clean, the bunkhouse was beautiful throughout, had a nice bathroom and beautiful main room with kitchenette. We were even able to check in remotely. The property is full of hiking trails and is about 6 miles outside Lanesboro. I would absolutely consider staying here again. The only cons are that the last mile of county road is quite steep and the queen bed is very firm. I found it better than advertised! - 9/23/2020

thomas m.

Clean, updated with nice amenities. Would stay again! - 9/07/2025

Jesse

As advertised. Great place, location, views, etc. - 3/23/2025

William T.

Great place near Lanesboro, secluded and very good for families. The kitchen is for chefs! We cooked up a storm. Nice fire pit with views of the valley.Needs a few double beds. - 7/09/2018

James M.

Beautiful bluff top property! Centrally located and a comfortable clean cabin. Would use again! - 10/12/2020

Corinne D.

We had an amazing time and love the fact that it had so many twin beds so each of us had our own bed. - 9/24/2024

Jess B.

Wonderful Getaway We had a great time in the "bunk house" over a 4-day weekend. Perfect location, within 20 minutes of all of each of the quaint small towns you want to see. Just a 3 minute drive in to the heart of Lanesboro and the beautiful Root River bike trail. The location is very private with great walking trails that are very well maintained if you want to stay on the property. The unit has everything you would need for a home-away-from-home. Even without an oven/stovetop, you have everything you need to make a great meal with the people you are with. The owners have thought of everything for you. We just can't say enough wonderful things about the stay we had and hope to be back! It was a weekend in the 90 degree weather, and the air conditioning worked great - kept up with the heat very well. The place is spotless, comfortable, and all we needed was there. My husband has an achy back on soft mattresses, and the Queen mattress was a little too soft for him, but he slept great in one of the twin beds. And I got the Queen to myself! haa. Wonderful place and very easy-to-work-with owners. Highly recommend if you are visiting the area. - 6/22/2021

Emily

Great place for my family of 4. It was clean and on beautiful property. After spending the day biking around the root river trail, we would walk the trails on the property. Close to the Whalen bike area and aroma pie shop. - 7/18/2021

Joshua

You can expect very clean place to stay! Comfy bed, cabin like feel, warm fireplace, and a very quiet atmosphere! There are beautiful views, lots of deer, and great walking trails on the property. - 3/13/2022

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

New microwave
New sign
Live From The Field
New dishwasher
New water management at entry door to garage.

Archives

Categories

Uncategorized

Meta

Log in
Entries feed
Comments feed
WordPress.org

Home

Theme by Tesseract